For the first time ever, we are excited to announce the winners of the 2014 School Library Journal School Librarian of the Year Award! This inaugural award, sponsored by Scholastic Library Publishing, honors three uniquely innovative school librarians for their outstanding achievement and the exemplary use of 21st- century tools and services to engage students toward fostering multiple literacies.
The 2014 School Librarian of the Year winner and two finalists are:
- Winner Michelle Colte of Hale Kula Elementary School in Wahiawa, HI
- Finalist Andy Plemmons of David C. Barrow Elementary School in Athens, GA
- Finalist Colleen Graves of Lamar Middle School in Flower Mound, TX
Award nominations were judged by an esteemed panel of school librarians, School Library Journal editors and industry professionals from Scholastic and the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) based on several criteria. These three outstanding library professionals impressed judges with their passion for learning and personal growth, integration of technology into instruction and innovative ideas, bringing learning beyond the library or the classroom.
2014 School Librarian of the Year Michelle Colte stated, “I believe that being a librarian is about so much more than providing access to information and promoting literacy – it’s about helping people make connections and share knowledge within the community and beyond. I am honored to be named School Library Journal School Librarian of the Year, and I hope that my passion for learning will inspire others in my field to push themselves, their fellow educators and students in their schools creatively.”
In addition to receiving prizes from Scholastic Library Publishing, all three school librarians are currently featured in the September 2014 issue of School Library Journal, with winner Michelle Colte as the cover story. You can also read more about the school librarians at School Library Journal online.
Join us in congratulating Michelle Colte, Andy Plemmons and Colleen Graves on social media using #SchoolLibOTY. And with back to school season kicking into gear, take a moment to celebrate your local school librarian!
School Library Journal September 2014 issue. Photo by Dana Edmunds.
